Thanks Ondrej,
I tried what I think you suggested.
I created a GCP on the model and set it’s gps coordinate from the satellite map.
I then adjusted the altitude manually to match the existing altitude, since the satellite provided an altitude of 1.
Then I turned off camera prior settings -> use camera priors for georeferencing
I then clicked update (alignment)
the model rotated and shifted
setup
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yEsowSeogsvLUSkP6
result (settings, start, and finish)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4GVF6Qmfzu3WmMaY9
I also tried the move x, y, z but it did not move as expected (move x, move y, and move z) either did nothing. the vector computed is in GPS coordinates.
My procedure outlined above seems to provide an reliable and exact solution which does not break reconstructions and does not rotate the ground plane. in fact, the model does not move AT ALL on exporting to 3D software. In other words the grid plane coordinate system did not change relative to the model/mesh. Only the wgs84 gps reference coordinates have moved so model location = real world location.
**I guess a little background might be important as well. I have a script that needs to be able to use the epsg:4326 - GPS (WGS 84) coordinate that represents the Grid Plane at 0,0,0
I export the model using grid-plane. import that into my 3D software. I need to know the lon, lat, alt at the model 0,0,0. so I use the export rcinfo to import a single-vertex obj. which I then turn around and export using the project output (epsg:4326 - GPS (WGS 84)) which then gives me the GPS coords of 0,0,0
with the gps coords, and the 3D model, I can make changes to the model and export all the points in GPS coords.